Food & Drink Channel

Chopped tomatoes, to accompany

Avocado wedges drizzled with fresh lime juice, to accompany

Chopped green onions, to accompany

Chopped fresh cilantro, to accompany

Salsa, to accompany

Instructions: Briefly sauté onion and garlic in oil and butter; add chile strips and jalapeños or serranos, 2 tablespoons tequila and salt and pepper to taste, stirring until tequila is absorbed. Do not overcook.

Heat oven to broil. Place grated cheese in a shallow 9-by-9-inch earthenware dish or in 6 individual flameproof ramekins. Top with the pepper/onion mixture. Place 6 inches under broiler and heat until bubbly, melted and lightly browned (about 4-5 minutes).

To serve: Dim lights. Remove cheese from oven. Briefly heat remaining 2 tablespoons tequila in a small, heavy saucepan; do not boil! Bring to the table, carefully igniting warmed tequila as you pour it from the saucepan over the sizzling cheese. Accompany with a basket of hot tortillas, crispy tostadas or crudités and small bowls of tomatoes, avocado wedges, green onions, cilantro and salsa. .

Variations: Sauté a handful of sliced mushrooms or squash blossoms with the pepper/onion mixture. Or substitute about 1/2 pound of crumbled fried chorizo (spicy Mexican pork sausage) for the chile strips.